"Dare not make any wild guesses? Hmph, you know nothing. What would I do with you by my side if I didn't hear the answer I wanted?" Not getting the answer she wanted, Ren Nuanyun glared at Chunyi. She didn't know why all the maids around her were so stupid.
“Princess, it’s the New Year season now, and your wedding with the Crown Prince is in March. Perhaps Her Majesty the Empress wants to invite you to the palace for a chat to get closer to your husband.” After being scolded by Ren Nuanyun, Chunyi could only make a reasonable guess.
Hearing what Chunyi said, Ren Nuanyun nodded thoughtfully, "Now that you mention it, it does seem to make some sense."
After changing her clothes and redoing her makeup, Ren Nuanyun went to the palace with a touch of spring in her heart.
"Mingxiu greets Your Majesty the Empress." Ren Nuanyun guessed that the Empress had summoned her to the palace to check her previous knowledge of etiquette, so she obediently bowed to the Empress.
Seeing that Ren Nuanyun was impeccably well-behaved in every way, a strange look flashed in the Empress's eyes. Although she had learned the rules well, her status was still a bit low, and the lack of a powerful background was Ren Nuanyun's biggest shortcoming.
"Get up quickly." The Empress smiled warmly and gestured to her head maid, Caiqiu, to help Ren Nuanyun up.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Ren Nuanyun stood up and sat down obediently to the side.
"What have you been busy with lately, Nuanyun?" The Emperor looked at Ren Nuanyun with a smile on his face.
"Your Majesty, I've been staying home doing needlework and reading lately," Ren Nuanyun said with a smile.
"Very good. I see that you look much better than when you last came to the palace." The Empress picked up her teacup and took a sip of tea.
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty." Ren Nuanyun lowered her eyes.
The Empress turned her head and glanced at Caiqiu behind her. Caiqiu immediately nodded, led all the servants in the palace out, closed the door herself, and stood guard at the door.
Upon seeing this, Ren Nuanyun knew that the Empress wanted to say something to her.
"Nuanyun, have you heard about what happened to the Xu family?" A trace of pain flashed across the Empress's face when the Xu family was mentioned.
"I have heard a little about it."
"Nuanyun, you are about to marry the Crown Prince. There are some things I will not hide from you. Before, the Crown Prince had the support of the Xu family, which is why his position as Crown Prince was so stable. But now, the Xu family has been punished by the Emperor, and the Crown Prince has lost such a powerful supporter."
Whether the Crown Prince's position will remain secure in the future is anyone's guess. Even I, the Empress, cannot fathom the Emperor's thoughts. However, with the Xu family in trouble, there are bound to be other princes trying to use this opportunity to climb the ranks. Although I am the Empress, there are some things I am powerless to change.
Ren Nuanyun was very vigilant. When the Emperor first mentioned the Xu family, she thought the Empress just wanted to talk to her. But when the Empress said that the Crown Prince's position was unstable, she realized the Empress's purpose.
The Empress glanced at Ren Nuanyun and, seeing that her expression had also become serious, continued, "Therefore, the most important thing right now is to find another strong supporter for the Crown Prince."
"This humble woman doesn't know much about these matters. Your Majesty, who else in the capital do you think would be more suitable?" Ren Nuanyun asked, seemingly out of curiosity.
Seeing that Ren Nuanyun was so understanding, the Empress was very satisfied. "Nuanyun, these things shouldn't be said by someone in the harem like me, but I am, after all, the Crown Prince's mother, and I can't just stand by and watch the Crown Prince be bullied by others without any supporters behind him."
Grand Tutor Xu of the capital comes from a scholarly family with many disciples, each of whom has achieved considerable success. Moreover, Grand Tutor Xu is known for his integrity, loyalty, and unwavering dedication to serving the country. Given the current circumstances, Grand Tutor Xu is the most suitable candidate.
After the Empress finished speaking, she stared intently at Ren Nuanyun, waiting for her to continue. However, Ren Nuanyun simply looked back at her without responding.
The Empress cursed Ren Nuanyun inwardly for being oblivious to social cues, but could only speak up, "The most solid way to get Grand Tutor Xu to wholeheartedly support the Crown Prince is through marriage. I often lament that it would be such a pity if Grand Tutor Xu had a son. In that case, as long as Yongchang is married off to him, this matter will be settled."
The Empress sighed as she spoke, and seeing that Ren Nuanyun was still just staring at her with a serious expression but not saying anything, she felt even more that Ren Nuanyun was a blockhead.
"Unfortunately, Grand Tutor Xu only has two daughters. Moreover, Xu Yanyan was sent to marry a foreign ruler for Ling Chao's sake, so now he only has Xu Yingying."
"Now that Your Majesty has said that, I understand a little. As long as Xu Yingying can marry the Crown Prince, this matter can be considered settled. However, I'm afraid Grand Tutor Xu is unwilling to marry his daughter to the Crown Prince as a concubine."
Ren Nuanyun understood the Empress's meaning. All that rambling and foreshadowing was just to get her to propose that Xu Yingying marry the Crown Prince. Fine, she would grant her wish.
Hearing Ren Nuanyun say this, the Empress was stunned, and then sneered inwardly. Of course, Grand Tutor Xu would not want his daughter to marry the Crown Prince as a concubine.
Seeing that Ren Nuanyun was unmoved by reason, the Empress had no choice but to be blunt: "Ren Nuanyun, I know that you have always been sensible. Grand Tutor Xu would not want his daughter to be a concubine. So, could you please step down and give up the position of Crown Princess?"
"Don't worry, your relationship with the Crown Prince is very good. He won't mistreat you. In the Eastern Palace, once you have the Emperor's favor, it doesn't really matter whether you're the Empress or a concubine. Besides, if you're willing, I will definitely treat you well and will absolutely not let you suffer any losses."
"Your Majesty, however, my position as Crown Princess was bestowed by His Majesty. If I were to give up my position, wouldn't that be disobeying the imperial decree?" Ren Nuanyun was very angry at the Empress's directness, but she still pretended to be innocent.
"You." The Empress was taken aback when Ren Nuanyun used the Emperor to block her, but then her expression softened. "Nuanyun, as long as you are willing, I will naturally speak to the Emperor."
"Your Majesty, I am unwilling. I suddenly remembered that I have something to discuss with my mother today, so I will take my leave now." Ren Nuanyun did not want to hear anything more from the Empress.
The Empress's words sound like they're all for the Crown Prince's position, but she's asking me to make sacrifices. If she really cared about the Crown Prince and me, she should have thought of other ways instead of trying to persuade me here.
She thinks she can become a concubine just by saying a few casual words? How could that be possible? How could she possibly become someone else's concubine?
The empress couldn't think of any other solutions, yet she spoke as if she were a person of great wisdom and righteousness.
What does it mean that there is no difference between a principal wife and a concubine?
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